Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is in Florida Thursday for annual conference of the Republican Governors Association.

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) - Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin sharply questioned the changing federal economic bailout plan Thursday during her first extended remarks since the end of the presidential campaign.

Addressing fellow GOP governors and party leaders at the annual Republican Governors Association convention in Miami, Palin criticized the growing list of industries and other entities seeking federal assistance.

"We're hearing now more talk of additional taxpayer bailouts ... for companies, for corporations, perhaps even states now who may be standing in line with their hands out despite, perhaps, some poor management decisions on their part that helped tank our economy," she said.

"Republicans can help shore (these sectors of the economy) up without getting any more addicted to opium, other people's money," she argued. "We need to have a rational discussion. What and when is enough enough?"

Palin stressed the need for greater economic "accountability and personal responsibility" while urging "conservative solutions to these economic challenges."

The Alaska governor also urged her own party to take the lead on the issue of ethics, arguing that the GOP "had better lead with ethics reform and (help bring) an end to the self-dealing and corrupt special interests on Wall Street and in Washington that contributed to the housing crisis and elements of the economic collapse."

Striking a defiant conservative tone in the wake of last week's Democratic victory, Palin stated that "bigger federal government and more unfunded mandates hurt the economy and our states."

She urged her fellow Republican governors to "embrace the federalist principle that lets local government, government closest to the people, have more say."

Reflecting on the recent campaign, the former vice-presidential nominee admitted that "for us, it was not our time. It was not our moment."

She complimented President-elect Obama, saying she wishes "Barack Obama well as the 44th president of the United States. If he governs with the skill, and the grace, and the greatness of which he is capable, we're going to be just fine."

Palin noted the historical magnitude of Obama's victory, saying that "as he prepares to fill the office of Washington and Lincoln ... this is a shining moment in American history. Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for our country."

In a news conference held earlier in the day, Palin criticized the national media for wanting to "dissect the past" and "playing the pundit's role" for the 2012 presidential campaign.

"As far as we're concerned, the past is the past," she said. "We're focused on the future. (The future) is next year, and our next budgets, and the next reforms in our states."

Asked why she chose to hold her first formal news conference now, she simply replied, "The campaign is over."

soundoff(131 Responses)

James, Saint Louis MO

I don't understand the hatred for Palin. She is the most down to earth candidate this country has ever seen. She does lack some knowledge and probably wasn't ready in 2008, but she has a great future and is more than capable of learning over the next few years. She's only 44. We have at least 20 more years of her in the political scene.

I also find it ironic that people critisize her hunting of wildlife in Alaska, but are angry, because she's anti-abortion. Basically saying it's okay to kill a baby, just don't harm a wolf, moose, or caribou.

I don't get it!

November 13, 2008 03:59 pm at 3:59 pm |

Airhead

Why do we care what this pathetic airhead of a governor has to say?

I hope she does run in 2012, it will give me another reason to vote Democrat.

November 13, 2008 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |

porkborg

shore up, shore up, shore up

Learn a new phrase already!

November 13, 2008 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |

Griff

Obama! He is not in the wyhite house yet.. and the Blacks Are Gloating at The Republicans... These so-called Funny People.. WilL want to dis-own Obama in a a few months time...

November 13, 2008 04:01 pm at 4:01 pm |

Pat Green (CA)

CNN – Can you please give us a break? She is a total idiot and a waste of news time for those of us who love watching your network. She just getting really sickening now!

November 13, 2008 04:04 pm at 4:04 pm |

Pack It Up

She doesn't know what she is talking about because she is dumber than a box of rocks. even if the bailout is stupid, she doesn't know why. She's just saying what someone told her to say.

ENOUGH OF THIS KOOK ALREADY. LET HER FADE INTO THE FORGOTTEN CHAPTERS OF HISTORY.